Thousands of people are expected to head to the prime viewing spots to get a glimpse of the mechanical angels gracing the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Glorious veterans of the skies will be gliding over crowds while nimble aircraft will perform dazzling displays as they criss-cross beneath the clouds.

No doubt the highlight of the weekend will be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which will see a Lancaster Bomber – one of only two airworthy craft of their kind – passing over Bournemouth with other Second World War craft.

Today's flight has had to be cancelled due to high winds.

The pair were also due to be flying tomorrow but one has had to be hangered due to enging problems. Tomorrow's flight, minus one aircraft, is still expected to go ahead.

It is the RAF’s tribute to those brave few aviators who protected our skies against an enemy assault.

Regardless of the history and the loss of one of the planes, everyone watching this will be moved and awed by the demonstration as the planes drone over the south.

Yesterday saw another veteran lift off.

Ninety-four year old wingwalker Tom Lackey stood on a while a Sea Vixen performed manoeuvres
as part of the HMS Illustrious decommissioning ceremony in Portsmouth.

Royal Marines abseiled into action as part of the launch of the programme and last night saw a
Rolls-Royce Spitfire ignite flames of pride.

The Midair Squadron Canberra XH134, which joined the RAF in 1951 as the first jet-powered bomber will also be flying on Sunday.
It is believed to be the world’s longest-serving bomber and retired from active duty only in 2006.
Cold War-era bomber, Vulcan, will be in the air from 2pm tomorrow.

As ever the Red Arrows will be showing off their skills in the air and spraying red, white and blue
smoke as they dance in the air over the next three days.

Headlining the aviation action at the event, which is supported by Mouchel and City Fibre, the Red Arrows will represent the incredible speed, agility and precision of the Royal Air Force, at 3pm today, 4.35pm on Saturday and 12.10pm on Sunday.

The RAF will also be displaying the Eurofighter Typhoon and Tutor and Tucano training aircraft on all three days.

The Royal Navy have also provided a Merlin helicopter and for the first time there will be a Lynx and Wildcat pairing.

Bournemouth Pier is the centre of attention at night with rappers Rizzle Kicks, pop and R&B group Rixton and drum and bass duo Sigma on the Boscombe Wave 105 and Corona stage.